A few weeks ago my friend Paul suggested that I listen to Surrender: 40 Songs One Story by Bono. Before listening to the book, I knew Bono was the lead singer of U2. I knew he was a rock star who drank, smoked cigars, cussed, and was a Bible believing Christian. I had seen an interview with him and Eugene Peterson which was interesting. But until two weeks ago, that was all I knew about Bono and U2.
For the last two weeks I have been listening to Surrender and am totally fascinated by the story. I have also been rereading Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2. And in order to make my education well rounded, I have been watching U2 videos and listening to their songs. (For example, both Walk On and Surrender tell the story when U2 played at Live Aid in 1985. Reading the descriptions was interesting, but I
didn’t really get it until I saw the video.)
Watching U2 live performances confirms that hard rock and roll isn’t my cup of tea. When I can understand the words, which isn’t often, I don’t understand what the song is about. It is only when Bono explains the song, and how it was inspired, that I understand the song. When I watch the Zoo TV Tour all I understand is how they are mocking a TV culture.
When it comes to the music of U2, I am not a fan. I can’t imagine ever paying to see one of their concerts.
However, I love the way Bono speaks of his spiritual journey. Bono has wrestled with how to live out his faith while being a rock star. When Bono talks or sings about his evolving faith, and the negative reaction he gets from the evangelical church, I can relate. I have tried to live out my faith while being a missionary. I feel like I have to be careful about how I express my faith, or I would be rejected by the church. And I NEED the church. The church is where I find good friends who share my struggle. I also find friends who let me into their life and hearts, and I can, when appropriate, be there for them. The church reminds me of what is important and how I want to live my life. I always want to be honest, authentic and speak the truth, and because I affirm so much of what my church teaches, it isn’t hard for me to be authentic. However, I have doubts and beliefs that I seldom say out loud except with close friends who can handle my troubled soul.
Steve Turner, a rock journalist, observed that Christians are not good at conversations or friendships with people who were not part of the church. He suggested Christians usually fall into one of three categories. The first category sees the world outside the church as a bad place that should be avoided. The second are uninformed believers who enter the non-Christian world with clichéd slogans that make sense in church but are impossible to understand or can be misunderstood by those unfamiliar with this language. The third group are so involved in current culture, and cut off from the church, they just blend in and make no impression.*
I think there is a fourth category which is more unusual. It is the Christian who moves into the world with the conviction that they can make a difference by speaking honestly about their faith, doubts, their loves, and their struggles. They are people who are unafraid to admit their doubts, and are honest about their faults and the faults of the church. They are people who understand that the world we live in is messed up and each of us is called to make a difference. I think Bono, and U2, fall into this fourth category, and I am inspired to be like them.
Over the last couple of weeks, we have had dinner with people who would not call themselves Christians and do not attend Church or believe the Bible is anything but an old irrelevant book. During these dinners I didn’t shy away from asking questions about their church backgrounds or what they believe. All of us enjoyed the conversation. Two couples said something like, “This is so refreshing, we don’t have these conversations very often.” I am sure we’ll see them again.
God has given U2 the privilege and responsibility of promoting the gospel through rock and roll. I have the privilege of doing it as a missionary. I am envious of Bono’s influence; I wish I had done more to change the world as he has. And I am equally glad I have never been burdened with the responsibility of fame. I think that God has given me, and continues to give me, the best possible life for me. For the last forty years I have LOVED the conversations and the shared life I have had with people who think differently than I do. It has been such a privilege to have my faith expanded by being exposed to different cultures and different ideas. I have helped some people see Jesus Christ is the Son of God and their Savior. And they have helped me to see how hard it is to believe the Gospel.
The odds that I will ever meet Bono in this lifetime are close to zero. But I look forward to meeting him someday in heaven. I think we will have a lot to talk about and be good friends.
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*Walk on: The Spiritual Journey of U2, Steve Stockman 2005, p. 57.
